2024/25 NBA Futures | Defensive Player of the Year

Last Update: Tue Oct 22, 2024, 3:03 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

2024/25 NBA Futures | Defensive Player of the Year

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It feels so good to write about the NBA. We're just hours from tip-off of the 2024/25 NBA Season and I'm locked in.

I've got a few futures placed to start the season and I've written about each. One on this year's Most Valuable Player Award, and another for the Most Improved Player.

So whats left? The Defensive Player of the Year.

It was Rudy Gobert that took home his fourth DPOY Award, now tied for the most DPOYs with Dikembe Mutumbo and Ben Wallace. Yeah, it sounds crazy when you say it like that.

Everyone's been up in arms about Gobert's latest win and now with a new season on the horizon, it's time for this award to find a new home. Let's get into it.

Here are our favorite bets for the 2024/24 Defensive Player of the Year Award!

2024/25 NBA's Defensive Player of the Year via BetOnline – Get a $500 WELCOME BONUS

Past Winners of the DPOY

Rudy Gobert — Minnesota Timberwolves (2024)
Jaren Jackson — Memphis Grizzlies (2023)
Marcus Smart — Boston Celtics (2022)
Rudy Gobert — Utah Jazz (2021)
Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee Bucks (2020)
Rudy Gobert — Utah Jazz (2019)
Rudy Gobert — Utah Jazz (2018)

Best Current Betting Odds via BetOnline

Victor Wembanyama (-200)
Chet Holmgren (+1000)
Bam Adebayo (+1200)
Rudy Gobert (+1400)
Evan Mobley (+1600)
Anthony Davis (+2200)
OG Anunoby (+2200)
Jaren Jackson (+2500)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+2800)
Alex Caruso (+4000)
Joel Embiid (+5000)
Draymond Green (+6600)
Herbert Jones (+6600)
Derrick White (+10000)
Jrue Holiday (+10000)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NBA picks today at BetOnline

Bam Adebayo (+1200) via BetOnline

If you love basketball you love watching Bam Adebayo play basketball. He's an elite big man with an insane motor, he's got the ability to guard 1-5, and he's a great shot blocker at the rim. Last year Adebayo averaged 19.3 points per game and 10.4 rebounds, a career high in rebounds.

He averaged 1.1 steals per game and just under 1 block. The Miami Heat finished 8th in the Eastern Conference but their defensive rating was top-5 in the league. Bam played in 71 of the teams 82 games and he was the anchor of this tough Miami defense.

Last year Bam finished 7th in the league in defensive win shares, and top 15 in defensive rating. The Heat's lineup was a revolving door last year with all the injuries they faced.

Last year, Jimmy suited up for just 60 games and Tyler Herro played in just 42; the Heat traded for Terry Rozier mid-way through last season and he played in just 30 games for the Heat.

Miami's got the pieces of a really formidable defense, they just need everyone to stay healthy. With the addition of Rozier last year, the Heat finished the year with the 2nd best defensive rating in the league, over the L27 games of the year.

If the Heat can bring back the magic of 2/3 years ago, finish near the top-3 in the Eastern Conference, it'll all be because Bam takes another step and it'll be on the back of their defense.

Bam Adebayo (+1200) via BetOnline

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NBA picks today at BetOnline

Anthony Davis (+2200) via BetOnline

I sound like a broken record, but I will die on this hill, Anthony Davis should already have a Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Davis has 5 All-Defensive Team nods, his most recent being All-NBA First Team last year, he's lead the league in blocks 3 different times, and he's the key behind the Lakers's success this season.

If Los Angeles hopes to have success this season, it'll have to be on the back of Anthony Davis, with AD being their best player. Last season, Davis played in 76 of the Lakers 82 games, averaging 24.7 points per game and 12.6 rebounds.

On the defensive end, Davis added 2.3 blocks per game and grabbing 1.2 steals per game. The Lakers lack of success and lack of team defensive was a glaring issue last year; if the addition of a new Head Coach can instil some defensive intensity in this young squad, I love AD's chances at getting his first DPOY Award.

Anthony Davis (+2200) via BetOnline